New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-15
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
COME ILLUSTRATED BOOKS.

SOME ILLUSTRATED DOOho
TEE VISION OF SIR LAUNFAI BY JAMES 81. Russell S.x
LowEIL ILLUSTRATED Nt,So RP 20 90 iss 3so''0"
JEROME Boston Lee 4 SHEPARD 1888.
ABoWT SI hy G.sH pp
Boston ID. Lcthrop 90
Mr. Lowell's beautiful poem has been treated
with appropriate distinction by the Publishers OF
This illustrated edition. They have deened that
the varying moods of the poem, noble tender' sau.
hopeful, rejecting such contrasting phases VI
nature and humanity, would receive more sympa'
thetic illustration from group of artists chosen
with reference to their special talents than from
any single designer Mr.. J. W. Alexander mas
dra WA portrait Of Mr.. Lowell which appears as
the frontspiece. Mr.. Shlrlaw has pictured OH
Launfal arming and salying forth in his visionary
ouest for the Holy Grail, and finally welcoming the
wandercr to the hall Mr. Mowbray has iurnisheo
sincere and reverent representations of Him VINO
died OH the tree" The list of figure PAINTERS VINO
have contributed full page designs closes with "''
Ereer but several drawings by MI kappes arc To-
uroduccd in the text. The landscape "ork OIL WIS
interesting gallery opens with charcoal ui""in"
by Mr.. L. IT, Smith which hardly reih'o'o'' 'n0
charm Of the favsritc apostrophe 10 '"''o va,
Crane who has seemed likely 10 ueco"c '
:t;rmed nainter of winter, and Mr.. Clifford whose
travels III Northern Africa have provided MIN WIN
many subjects, are represented by IahoscSto'
characteristic and appropriate Tue more ii'io'
tant paintings auG drawings have been eheraVeu Nv
Mr. Frederick Juengiing, one OF the strongest OF
the first modern school of wood en- gravers. There
are ten artists proofs of these engravlngs printed
upon the finest japanese paper The illustrations
in the text and the clever head and tail pieces and
half titles by Mr. Ii. L. Brdwell are reproduced IN
fac-simile. Tho well-earncd reputation oil Inc
Riverside Press is enhanced by the mechanical
cxcellence of this volume. Text and illustrations
are upon plate paper unusually heavy ana me III
ouality and the mwkwardncss in handling when
would have been eanscG by tie weight ahd s'il-
hess of these leaves Is Obviated by mounting theu
on linen hinges, on which they turn WIN perl CT
ease The small hali-tite designs have pages 10
themselves, and this. together with the broad mar
Gins LETT around the text, conveys comfortable
sense Of snmptnous generosity.
The manner IN winch the artists have discharged
the duties imposed upon them is usual excellent
As a rule they represent tie younger school OF
American figure aud landscape painters and II need
hardly To said that they display degree vi
technical proficiency which, like wood-engraving
Of this oualitv. could not have been commanded
twenty years aeo. Mr. Mowbrav whose paintings
have usually been IN lighter vein has success
fully avoided the extremes OF brutal re"lsh anu Vi
mere sentmentdlisn in his hgures oil the SaVioui
AS would be the case with any artist C1 the DAY,
Mr. Mowbray's INTERPRETATION OF ais exalted theme
will rot prove universally s,tisiying, but tue
seriousness and force of his treatment are unue-
niable Mr. Shiriaw whoee work Is pitched in
needlessy low color key, has Furnished drawings
which are perhaps adequate although hardly re-
markablr. His study of charger and rider spring
ing through the arch suffers FROM confusion OF
forms and uncertain treatment of light and shade
which casts suspicion upon tie drawing. MI
Freer's noad oi IA Sister of Charity Is only TO be
inipeachcd on the ground OF some lack OF deilcacy
and sentiment. Mr.. kappes has acquitted himself
we'll in the minor iustra ions and Mr. Cranes
winter landscape Mr.. Gidord's desert trayeIstd
by a cararan may he pronounced admirable Win
few qualifications. MIR. Smiths Interpretation OF
the rare quality of June might have been the better
for more light and transparency, and less b!"cA-
ness IN the dominating mass Of foliage, but the
skill OF this clever worker in black and white re-
mains evident. Ii Is unfortunately Impossible i1r
any one WHO has Sc Sir. Lo veil recently 10 accept
Mr. Alexander's hard. angular drawing rs a svh-
nathe tic ana correct likeness. 1t IS as unlike as
Mr. Alexander's drawings of Messrs. Stockton and
Burroughs in The Century were unlike t1e or ginalN
Tie has preserved little trace of his subjects
cnara cteristlc eXDTessiOn AID even the lines and
forms of face and head curiously hattened and
uttered. The sCrt Of vigorous crdyOn drawing
which Nh Alexander affects may GO wei enough
rs an exhibition of tie artists power of boldly
tketctiuc in a figure, but when a porlrai. is IN
question NOS; of us would prefer Likeness.
The proofs OF the engravings pasted at the
four corners in the manner common with frame
makers, which in book involves SOHO danger OF
9drawiny" and wrinklIng. hut the arrangement OF
japan proofs is always open TO argument. Inc
light boards of the cover which IL backed win
red leatherette, offer tine practical objection OF
being easily soiled. but tie cover pr0OaDIy implies
certain concessions. On the v loc, is We have SAID
this voiu ne ~ conception and execution is entitled
to cordial praise. No one can quarrel with the
choice of poem. even though the choice be HON
the author Of the Commemoration Ode and
= The Cathedral" for the nobility, melody and
beauty Of The" Vision of Sir Launfui" amply justify
a spendor of dress not ALWAYS worthiy bestowed
1t Is impossible to leave this superb volume with
out SOME xrression of pride in so fruitful upion:
of American poetry, American pictorial and inter
pretatIve art, and the best resources OF American
boOkmaking.
"A bunch of Violets is a continuation of the
sift books which have been CON piled and Illus
trated by Miss jerome for recent holiday SEASONS,
and have doubtless met with some degree of
popular favor As its name signifies this volume
contains collection Of verses regarding violets
which are ACCOMPANIED by drawings of flowers
and birds, bits of landscape and few figure
studies. The figures which indicate some use of
photography are occasionally introduced into
landscape with perplexing disregard of perspect-
i've, and truth of lighting, form and action, but
work Of this class perhaps servesits purpose which
IL popular and temporary. The fcwcr' and birds
are drawn with considerable care. athc ngh the
drawing is quite imper -Ona and splrit.e,s and the
artist has evidently labored to realize tho pct
uresquc" in small way, and " the pretty
tbroug bout her work Tho engraving, by Mr.
George r. Andrew, and the printing are cToditable.
1t is perhaps unfortunate for the ilu traitor OF
Mrs. Spohords Ballads about Authors that lie
has now and then bceu obliged to take subjects
which suggest comparison with Mr. Abbey, for